Both the United Kingdom (UK) with over 2,75,000 cases and India with over 1,98,000 cases are facing the worst health crisis due to the ongoing pandemic. Over 2 months into the lockdown, both the nations have now stepped up and boldly announced reopening of the country. Complete Coverage: Coronavirus
Crux of the Matter
Unlocking UK The latest update by the UK PM Boris Johnson on 28 May has outlined a greater easing of lockdown rules. England with over 1,30,000 cases and 27000+ deaths is the worst affected state in the UK, the government has announced opening up of primary schools in England from June 1 which has sparked debates on the readiness of the schools to implement hygiene and social distancing norms. The restriction on the use of public transport has been slightly eased and according to the new guidelines the authorities have now no powers to enforce two-meter distancing. On the contrary, the Welsh government has allowed people to go outdoors for the first time in the past 2 months and has decided to keep the schools and universities shut.
The government is taking modest steps in easing lockdown restrictions. I am reasonably confident the measures would be manageable, but the room for manoeuvre is limited. Robert Jenrick, Communities Secretary
The update has allowed the garden centers and sports that are physically distanced – such as golf – to reopen. Two people from different households are also allowed to meet in outdoor settings, such as parks, as long as they stay more than 2 metres apart. The government also hopes to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places by July.
Governments Clashing Over Unlocking The latest guidelines from the government have led to a divergence in lockdown rules between the UK government and the devolved administrations, with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland keeping stricter measures in place and retaining the message to stay at home. On 28 May, the NHS Test and Trace scheme was launched, which allows people with coronavirus to trace those they have made contact with and thus reduce further transmission of the virus. As the number of cases continues to rise steadily; the UK government has been facing tremendous pressures in its politically charged environment earlier to increase the testing capacities and now to manage the lockdown measures in order to avoid a second spike.
India’s Unlock 1.0 On the contrary, the Indian government has called the Lockdown 5.0 as the ‘Unlock 1.0’ under which a phased re-opening of all the activities has been planned out except in the areas of containment zones where the lockdown has been extended till 30th June. In the first phase of unwinding from June 8, the Ministry of Home Affairs has allowed re-opening of malls, hotels, restaurants, and places of worship. It has also made the use of face masks and social distancing norms compulsory. Night curfew timing has been revised and the movement shall be prohibited between 9 PM to 5 AM. In Phase-2, the Home Ministry has said that consultations will be held with States, UTs, and other stakeholders on the re-opening of academic institutions from July. Domestic Air travel continues with 1/3rd capacity, railways are increasing the trains steadily whereas metro, cinema halls, international travel, gym, and spa continue to remain closed everywhere and based on the situations opening up for these sectors will be decided in Phase-3. The restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movements have been fully lifted up and the requirement of e-pass has been removed. The central government has now asked states to issue their own guidelines by assessing the situation. At a time when India is witnessing new Covid highs each day and monsoon is making an entry on the west coast, India stands at a very critical junction compared to the UK in this fight against coronavirus.
Curiopedia
Darkest Hour is a 2017 war drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Anthony McCarten. Set in May 1940, it stars Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill and is an account of his early days as the Prime Minister of the UK during World War II.
The Premier League often referred to as the English Premier League or the EPL outside England, is the soccer league of England. The 2019/20 Premier League season will resume on June 17 after the UK government permitted its return.
In April last week, Philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates had commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s leadership and his government’s “proactive measures” such as lockdown and expansion of focused testing in combating the Covid-19 pandemic in India.
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